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    Selling On Amazon
    When signing up for an account there are two options. If you're just starting out, get the Individual Plan, you can upgrade the account whenever you want.

    Individual Selling PlanProfessional Selling Plan
    $0.99 fee for each item sold. If you sell 40+ items/month, you will need the Professional plan.  Flat fee of $39.99/month and more powerful and flexible tools to manage inventory, reports, feeds and access to web services.

    Amazon is an amazing platform that offers great opportunities for starting a business and making money. However when starting out, take it slow.
    There is much to learn and get used to. Before investing all your savings on a product you hope will quickly turn a profit take the time to familiarize yourself with the system.
    Perhaps start out with a smaller investment just to get your feet wet. Go through the basic guidelines offered by Amazon here.

    Below are tips, clarifications and insights from members of this forum. Feel free to pitch in or ask you questions.

    Some factors to consider before investing in a product to sell:

    1) Price: How much did the item cost you? Have you taken into account shipping costs (both to you and to the customer)? Will you have to pay taxes? Amazon keeps a percentage of every sale (including shipping fees). It’s 15% for most product categories besides a few like electronics that are 8%. You can see the full schedule of fees here. There are several online tools to help you price your products including an FBA Revenue Calculator here and an Amazon built iOS app. A quick way to figure out how much you’d need to charge just to break even after amazon fees is to take the total product cost and then multiply it by 1.1766 (for 15% fees) or 1.087 (for 8% fees).

    2) Velocity:  How fast will the item sell? It's nice to find a product for $10 that you can flip for $100.  But if you’ll only sell 1 a year, it won’t be a very good investment. The best way to determine the velocity of an item is to check the sales rank. Sales rank indicates the popularity of a product compared to other products in its category. The lower the ranking the more popular it is. The iOS app has sales rank baked in too. To get a proper feel for the turnaround time of an item, you'll need to dip your toes in slowly. Note: An item may have a great sales rank due to a recent sale, make sure to check price history on camelcamelcamel.com or keepa.com to get a better picture of the real price and rank of an item.

    3) Return Rate: Even after you sold a few laptops and tablets profitably, you'll have to take into account that a buyer may want to return the item. Certain items have higher rates of return, so make sure to take that into account when deciding whether it's profitable/worth your effort to sell the item.


    Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA):
    The seller sends the items to Amazon warehouse. Amazon takes care of fulfilling the order, and customer service related to the order.

    Pro's Of FBA
    Con's Of FBA
    • Easier to get in the Buy Box
    • You're able to offer Prime shipping
    • For anything above $300, Amazon only charges the standard referral fee. This actually makes FBA cheaper when you take the discounted shipping to Amazon into account.
    • If you have a large or heavy item, shipping the item to the customer can be expensive especially if it is going to a residential address. If you send that item to amazon FBA charges will be much lower than your shipping would have cost. (Including shipping it to FBA)

    • Returns (See this post for a more detailed explanation)
      • Returns are accepted without any restocking fee.
      • Items that are Damaged/missing parts are taken back.
      • Since Amazons is super lax on returns, your return rate will be significantly higher.
      • Refunds may harm your cash flow. When a buyer selects "Return" on his order history, often Amazon will immediately issue him a refund, and debit your account.
    • If the item is not a fast selling item, it will sit in their warehouse. Amazon charges a fee for every 30 Days an item remains their warehouse, it is usually a tiny fee, but it adds up.


    Q: How can I move inventory from one ASIN to another ASIN without having them returned on FBA listings?
    A:
    Before I Teach you guys the method you must keep 2 things in mind:
    1) This Method isn't guaranteed! As we all know how seller support is operating, Since this processes involves them its only about %95 accurate but its still a YMMV!
    2) This is kind of grey whether its in violation of Amazon's policy so i do not take responsibility if you get hit!
    Its a 4 step process make sure to follow them properly! Follow this link

    Q: If I have 3 items to send into FBA and they are splitting me to 3 different locations. Can I ship all 3 items to one location?
    A:
    Yes, you can choose "Inventory Placement Service" in FBA settings to send all your inventory to one nearby warehouse. Amazon charges an additional fee ($.30, CMIIW) per item.
    Note: That even once your inventory reaches Amazon, if Amazon is moving it to a different warehouse, the item will be "back-ordered"

    Q: I'm having a hard time finding a box for a large product, can I just ship with the box the way it came from the store?
    A:
    There might not be a clear cut answer for every scenario. But, some have sold many large printers through FBA, by just putting the shipping label directly on the box and not having an issue.

    Q: What is considered case pack when sending in items to Amazon FBA?
    A:
    Case pack is when all the items in the box are from the same ASIN.

    Q: I'm doing FBA shipping for the first time. and it says "prep required". What does that mean?
    A:
    Prep Required means there is some preparation for the products that will need to be done before it could be added the the Amazon inventory. Typically, it is either labeling the items, taping the boxes shut, or poly bagging. If you do not prepare the items yourself, Amazon can/will do it for a charge.
    Q: What is the buy box? How do I win the buy box?
    A:
    The Buy Box is the box on a product detail page where customers can begin the purchasing process by adding items to their shopping carts.
    To give customers the best possible shopping experience, Sellers must meet performance-based requirements to be eligible to compete for Buy Box placement. All Buy Box eligible offers are then further evaluated to determine the Buy Box winning offer. One "New" and one "Used" condition offer, as applicable, will receive Buy Box placement.

    Q: What is an A-Z claim?
    A:
    When you buy from third-party sellers on Amazon.com, the condition of the item and its timely delivery are guaranteed under the A-to-z Guarantee.
    Therefore, a buyer may open a claim if the above is not met to his expectations.

    Q: I have an item that is handmade how do I go about selling it on?
    A:
    Create your own listing and buy a UPC code.

    Q: Any advice on packaging and shipping?
    Check the Shipping Master Thread

    Q: Why are some items on Amazon missing the Amazon sales rank number?
    A:
    Go to add a product > sell yours  it should be in the top right corner. If it's not there usually it means no one bought yet.

    Q: How do you compare Ebay/paypal fees to Amazon fees?
    A:
    Depends on the category. For a lot of categories,Please Update Categories it may be cheaper, as with Amazon there is just one fee, but for eBay sales there also is a Paypal fee.

    Does the Amazon sales rank mean a lot when researching a product to sell?
    A:
    Yes





    Q: How do I get customers to leave feedback (I tried emails)? I sold multiple items
    recently and no feedback yet
    Please Update

    Q: I Got an email from a buyer where's my stuff? I have a Fedex/UPS delivery confirmation signature. How should I go about this?
    A:
    Firstly, tell the buyer that UPS/Fedex shows that it was signed for, and they should check if the item was delivered to a neighbor, from desk of building ect... Next open an investigation from your end with UPS/Fedex to have them do research and contact their driver of what may have happened to this item. It all depends on how co-operative the buyer is, on exactly how to precede. If they are trying to scam you, then there is not much as a seller you could do. They may open an A-Z claim (you would have to weigh your options if it is worth having a claim) Amazon may or may not grant it in your favor. I have never had this with Amazon. Such a claim is not typical.
    What is more common is if there was no signature, and tracking shows it was delivered, and the buyer is claiming they have not received it.
    For myself - Fedex has reimbursed me multiple times with such instances

    Scams
    Q: I posted an expensive item on Amazon. Somebody sent me a message, asking to clarify the condition of the item is (it was clearly stated in the description), along with a request to reply to his own email, and he'll pay through PayPal. Is there anything this buyer can so to screw me over, after I send him the item? Anything else I should know?

    A: SCAM SCAM SCAM. There is NO reason you should EVER do this. There is a reason why Amazon has this policy. This is how the scams works.
    The guy sends a FAKE email from an email account such as paypal1@realpaypal.com. In reality no money was sent to your account and its bogus. The scammers are hoping that you will think that you got the money and will send the item.
    You should report it to paypal each time. beware! always check your paypal account if the money came.
    Another reason not do this-you will get kicked off amazon for good,sometimes competitors set this up.[/list]



    Commonly used resources

    A List of lots of links to resources commonly used in Amazon selling
    http://www.asgtg.com/amazon-services/


    « Last edited by mgarfin on January 02, 2018, 09:07:51 PM »

    Author Topic: Selling on Amazon Master Thread  (Read 971037 times)

    Offline Zevwolf

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #960 on: July 09, 2014, 11:30:35 PM »
    Is it possible to setup your inventory page  in a order that I want?

    Offline Newcc

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #961 on: July 09, 2014, 11:35:39 PM »
    Me too. I don't need reviews, but I'd still be happy to write them.
    Awesome, can I PM you details?

    Online Yehuda57

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #962 on: July 09, 2014, 11:36:13 PM »
    Awesome, can I PM you details?
    Sure

    Offline Newcc

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #963 on: July 11, 2014, 12:25:39 PM »
    Sure
    Thanks mate, I'm actually a little surprised that this thread isn't busy, there are so many guys doing this in our communities and we can all help each other so much, why is this thread so quiet?

    Offline ueaiouioei

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #964 on: July 13, 2014, 10:23:55 PM »
    Thanks mate, I'm actually a little surprised that this thread isn't busy, there are so many guys doing this in our communities and we can all help each other so much, why is this thread so quiet?

    I think the nature of doing business on Amazon is so competitive, even within a community like ours people are reluctant to talk about anything tachlis. Just conjecture. I'd be glad to see this thread take off a bit more.
    Live life to the fullest

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #965 on: July 13, 2014, 11:33:44 PM »
    I think the nature of doing business on Amazon is so competitive, even within a community like ours people are reluctant to talk about anything tachlis. Just conjecture. I'd be glad to see this thread take off a bit more.
    True. Selling on Amazon is very aggressive. On a lot of items profit lines are very slim, ect...

    But its really all the one above that will control how much you will sell / make. I see it all the time, I could be competing with other sellers, and my stock or their stock could sell faster even if our prices are the same, and have equal rights to the buy box ...

    Offline ueaiouioei

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #966 on: July 14, 2014, 08:41:25 AM »
    True. Selling on Amazon is very aggressive. On a lot of items profit lines are very slim, ect...

    But its really all the one above that will control how much you will sell / make. I see it all the time, I could be competing with other sellers, and my stock or their stock could sell faster even if our prices are the same, and have equal rights to the buy box ...

    ok, so you start :P 

    1) What's you business model?
    2) How do you find stock?
    3) What sort of automation/order management do you use?
    4) What's your average/target profit margin?
    Live life to the fullest

    Offline EMCC

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #967 on: July 14, 2014, 08:52:52 AM »
    Anybody ever get thrown off Amazon or thrown off a specific listing - by Amazon claiming the product is a replica but its actually a genuine product?
    Me, Bose headphones. Blocked me and my family forever.
    "Disclaimer: I don't believe everything I write."  - ChaimMoskowitz

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #968 on: July 14, 2014, 08:55:35 AM »
    Me, Bose headphones. Blocked me and my family forever.
    Have you treid showing them proof that they are genuine?

    Offline EMCC

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #969 on: July 14, 2014, 09:07:07 AM »
    Have you treid showing them proof that they are genuine?
    I tried everything.
    "Disclaimer: I don't believe everything I write."  - ChaimMoskowitz

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #970 on: July 14, 2014, 09:10:23 AM »
    The guy in my case even had the receipts from the manufacturer, he sent if to them and nothing helped.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #971 on: July 14, 2014, 10:37:17 AM »
    The guy in my case even had the receipts from the manufacturer, he sent if to them and nothing helped.
    Did the products have S/N? Did they match the ones on the invoice?

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #972 on: July 14, 2014, 11:23:04 AM »
    Did the products have S/N? Did they match the ones on the invoice?
    Yes and yes, he is a very big seller and he has his own rep who he always deals with and she couldn't help him  >:( Sometimes they stink.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #973 on: July 14, 2014, 11:26:21 AM »
    Yes and yes, he is a very big seller and he has his own rep who he always deals with and she couldn't help him  >:( Sometimes they stink.
    Amazon is in the business to make money they wouldn't just shut down a large seller if he had proof they were genuine. I am assuming it wasnt just black and white. By very big you mean $10 million plus? $50 million plus a year?

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #974 on: July 14, 2014, 11:30:59 AM »
    Amazon is in the business to make money they wouldn't just shut down a large seller if he had proof they were genuine. I am assuming it wasnt just black and white. By very big you mean $10 million plus? $50 million plus a year?
    His weekly statement closes by about $180,000. It was black and white. The customers were complaining so they claimed that there is nothing they can do. (they didn't shut the account, they just restricted that item)
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #975 on: July 14, 2014, 11:34:33 AM »
    His weekly statement closes by about $180,000. It was black and white. The customers were complaining so they claimed that there is nothing they can do. (they didn't shut the account, they just restricted that item)
    oh just that item... that's different. To many customers complaining regardless of the issue they will block you for that listing and that makes sense.

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #976 on: July 14, 2014, 11:37:35 AM »
    oh just that item... that's different. Too many customers complaining regardless of the issue they will block you for that listing and that makes sense.
    +1

    They have limited a lot if items for this reasons. Samsung Cell phones as an example. Items that there are a lot of fake ones on the market, they usually want to see that you are an official reseller of the company in order to sell those brand items.


    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #977 on: July 14, 2014, 11:51:12 AM »
    +1

    They have limited a lot if items for this reasons. Samsung Cell phones as an example. Items that there are a lot of fake ones on the market, they usually want to see that you are an official reseller of the company in order to sell those brand items.
    They did not restrict the item for all the sellers, just for him. And he had proof from the manufacturer that its authentic. It was a hand made thing, and of course you can't make every item look the same, so when people got the item and it looked different from the one they saw before they called in complaining that its counterfeit.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #978 on: July 14, 2014, 12:00:31 PM »
    They did not restrict the item for all the sellers, just for him. And he had proof from the manufacturer that its authentic. It was a hand made thing, and of course you can't make every item look the same, so when people got the item and it looked different from the one they saw before they called in complaining that its counterfeit.
    They compare the % of complaints to the other sellers of the same item. I assume his was way higher.

    Online Yehuda57

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #979 on: July 14, 2014, 12:41:37 PM »
    They compare the % of complaints to the other sellers of the same item. I assume his was way higher.

    AFAIK If you have a >1% defect rate on a product, you will be removed.

    Even if you can get the feedback that used the words "fake" or the like removed, and lower the defect rate, it likely will not help to get back on.